Year: 2016

The San Diego Lions are searching for applicants for the position of Senior Head Coach for the 2017 season.

Qualifications:

Ability to develop and teach players of all capabilities

Able to mentor new players

Able to be part of recruiting effort

Ability to promote a great culture within the playing group

Work closely with the Director of Football operations and Board of Directors to promote the club’s mission of “Growing the game of Australian Football in San Diego.”

This is a volunteer position. The Lions are prepared to pay for coaching certifications. All applicants are encouraged to apply. Interested applicants should express interest via email to info at sandiegolions.com or through the website.

The Biggest Day on the Australian Sporting Calendar is being broadcast live in San Diego by the San Diego Lions! Game time begins about 9:30 pm local San Diego time.

ENTRY $20 at the back patio entrance!

Space is limited so buy your tickets today.
Ticket price includes:

Live game with sound on all TVs in the outdoor portion of the venue
Drink specials throughout the Night
Giveaways and raffles including First Goal contestWHEN
Friday, September 30, 2016 at 8:00 PM – Saturday, October 1, 2016 at 1:00 AM (PDT)WHERE
The Ould Sod – 3373 Adams Ave, San Diego, CA 92109

The San Diego Lions take on the Orange County Bombers in the regular season home finale on September 10, 2016. All supporters are welcome as the Lions hope to bounce back after their last loss to Orange County. Opening bounce is 11 AM. Players are asked to get to the ground by 10 AM to help set up and warm up.

The field location is the same as most this season. If you haven’t been to the ground before, it can be a little tricky. You can walk up a dirt trail from Black Mountain Road, or park in the school and walk up the driveway.

After party: Immediately following the match we will head to 9990 AleSmith Ct, San Diego, CA 92126 All are invited to join us for a beer after the match.

Our training grounds for the remainder of the season have changed from Doyle Elementary School to North Clairemont Park & Rec. at 4421 Bannock Ave, San Diego, CA 92117. The ground is towards the back of the basketball courts and gym (not the grassy area as you approach. We will train under lights for the next month until we go to Nationals.

Training times have also changed. Tuesdays are still at 6pm, but Thursdays have changed to 7:30pm.

The Lions proudly present our new look for 2016 and beyond!

A big thanks to Pokey for his fantastic work on the new design!

Players who would like to order your own set to keep and choose your own number, you now have that opportunity. The full kit is available (jumper, shorts, socks) for $75 via pre-order. Please email Rob to let him know sizing (sizing chart below) and number details, fill in the Player Name and Number box below, and click the “Buy Now” button. Please pay by Sunday August 14, 2016

“Hi-ho, hi-ho. It’s up the Five we go.” gleefully sang four carloads of San Diego Lions on Saturday July 30 as they headed from the Sorrento Valley Park ‘n’ Ride to the field behind South Lake Middle School for the opening round of the 2016 inaugural California Cup; a three-way US Nationals-styled competition between Los Angeles Dragons, Orange County Bombers and San Diego Lions. The games consist of two 20-minute quarters between full-sized teams on a full-sized field, with a round robin played on one day. The Cup provides matches for the teams as well as inputs to the USAFL ranking system for downstream formulation of the Nationals divisions.

First up, the OC Bomber hosts took on the LA Dragons in a one-sided affair, in which it took OC until late in the game to register on the scoreboard. LA ran out convincing winners, needless to say, with great use of the width of the ground. Solo umpire and former Bomber Paul Pietsch did the field officiating for this and, indeed, for all three consecutive matches. The Lions provided boundary and goal umpires, which in the building heat provided a good warm up for some of us.

San Diego, arriving with a contingent of 16 players, borrowed 3 from the LA Dragons: forward flank John the elder, forward pocket John the younger, and first-gamer bruiser Travis. A bench of one can be a godsend at times! There was a glimmer of hope that LA had shot their wad in downing OC and that, shaking off the road trip, the Lions would capitalize when John the elder booted truly with the first goal of the game against a string a point from LA. But a late first-half goal to the Dragons saw them head to the trees at half-time – for shade rather than climbing – with a lead of 3 points. Coming out for the second period saw an onslaught from LA with a string of unanswered goals. The Lions went down fighting but were unable to get their forward line moving. Your author and coach of last resort, Bob, made an uncharacteristic gaffe in meteorology and the wind was against us for both halves … climate change!

With both sides having been shredded in a similar manner by LA, there was interest to see who could regain composure and breath for the final match. With the LA team departing, the Lions lost their loaner players and 16-a-side was agreed. So no bench and, therefore little for the coach to do tactically. Although, game day runner Ben Evans did a mighty job taking water and instructions onto the field. Some reckon that he ran more than he would in a match.

The Lions played with an open forward line running Fletcher Wall and Brian Nickel as two-pronged center half-forwards – one prong each, I suppose. Doug Day at full forward was given a roving commission and roamed widely putting pressure on the OC defense with support from Brian Adamson. Evan Bradshaw in the ruck for the whole match and recovering from illness over the week found his straps, shook off the wog, and was master of the air once he had availed himself of the medicinal magic sponge. The Lions were well ahead at half time with JV proving solid in the middle and Brando running from center half-back and taking the kicks in. Then OC, via the gray-haired but not nearly as tall as Gandalf Brattles, started to control and drive off their half-back line. Before long, they hit the front midway through the second term. With nothing left to look forward to but the long drive home on the Five, the Lions piled on the pressure and found renewed coordination through the middle via Johnny Carpenter and Ryan Nielson, taking to the heat as if he had finally thawed out from Minnesota. The engine room of Evan, JV and Swanny spread the ball effectively. The backs recently fortified with skilled Lions first gamers Tony and Jason along with Scuba, AJ, and Anthony held strong, and the Lions cruised home to a 2-point win.

A minor controversy erupted in the crowd when with 45 seconds left in the match and the Lions ahead by 2 points, Fletch took a mark in the middle and immediately fell to ground with leg cramp. “He’s faking it!”, “Stop the clock!” etc. was screamed. The clock stopped, Fletch hobbled off and we won with 15 on the field.

Arthur Kinsey the Lions wing and LA Ambassador identified the Barley Forge Bar for post-game recuperations and storytelling. Evan Bradshaw was voted overwhelmingly as Players Player on the day. A small group took off home early and, despite being 90 minutes ahead of the drinkers, arrived home a bare 15 minutes ahead. There has to be a moral there.

Come out and support the Lions at the SCAFL Grand Final on Sunday, June 12.

Teams will be facing off from all around southern California. After the matches, everyone is welcome to come grab your favorite beers at Alesmith Brewery. Alesmith has a large patio outside, lots of seating indoors and even a kids play area.

What: SCAFL Grand Final

When: Sunday, June 12. 10am until appx. 2pm

Match Schedule:

10:00: Riverside vs OC B52s for 5th place

11:30: SD vs OC Jets for 3rd place

1pm Grand Final: LA Blue ‘s LA Black for 1st place

Where: Matches will be played at Black Mountain Middle School (Map Below)

The field can be challenging to find. Enter the field from Black Mtn Rd. There is a footpath up the hill behind the businesses on the corner of Carmel Mtn.Rd. If you have strollers or disabled guests coming, contact Stacy at 619 616 8879 or Brando for assistance.

Join the San Diego Lions for a Day at the Races and the San Diego Craft Beer Festival!

Del Mar Race Season is short but sweet, so take a day to relax and enjoy some of the world’s best racing right here in our backyard.

When: Saturday, July 23. Gates open at 12 noon, Craft Beer Fest opens at 1pm and first race posts at 2pm

Where: Del Mar Thoroughbred Club

2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar, CA 92014

Craft Beer Fest will be in the Seaside Concert Area

Cost: If you purchase before July 17, there is a discounted Craft Beer Fest Package for $22. This includes admission to the races, admission to the beer fest and 5 tasters. Full beers will also be available for purchase. Food trucks will be accompanying the Craft Beer Fest.